Chapter 6

Operation New Hope Part I

It was a day like any other, until there was a giant explosions of energy in the in numerous areas of the world. Out of the explosions came waves of monstrous aliens, all with one purpose in mind: The annihilation of the human race. The aliens were known as the Vordocks, and they were a conquering race that knew no other form of communication other than violence and conquest.

Vordocks were not very tall beings, usually compared to humans of small or medium sizes. They had sleek orange skin and demonic yellow eyes. They were often very muscular and trained at very young ages to be warriors. Their weapons of choice were laser axes and large laser guns that shot several energy rounds before tiring. Vordock Infiltrators often arrived in earth on hover motorcycles and hover boards. They didn't use aerial combat machines like ships or planes unless it was to transport more of their never-ending legions. Vordocks could breathe without oxygen, so they had no care for the wellbeing of earth, and began terrorizing it upon arrival.

The US armed forces were minimally effective at best, and the top secret organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D was down to playing its last card, depending on the alliance of superheroes known as the Avengers. This group of Earth's Mightiest Heroes often would ban together to protect their home world from many extra-terrestrial threats such as the Vordock invasion.

"We're running out of plays to run, here Captain…" the voice of Nick Fury's came through the large flat screen TV at the Avengers Mansion in New York City. "S.H.I.E.L.D, the US military, and your Avengers have fought tooth and nail with these aliens and their sheer force of numbers has been enough to keep us on the losing side of this fight. We need to end this, and quick."

"We need a bigger army…" Captain America spoke to the director, concerned for this grave situation but unable to see a solution. "We're to outnumbered, even the Avengers have their limit."

"Unless you've been hiding some more superheroes in that big house over there," Fury replied with his typical attitude, "I don't believe that's a plan that will get any follow through."

"No, suppose your right."

"Captain I may have one idea…" Hawkeye spoke as he leapt into the room, having just come back from subduing a small Vordock attack in New York. "The operation I spoke to you several months ago…the Avengers Initiative that involved bringing in and reforming criminals with the hopes of boosting our ranks."

"This is hardly the time for such a radical move, Clint…" Fury responded on the TV screen.

"With all due respect, Director." Captain America replied, "This may be the only time that such a drastic measure could be utilized. You said it yourself, Nick…we're running out of plays."

"This is absolutely Ludacris." Fury admitted, now realizing this crazy idea may be his only plan of attack. "Alright Cap, if you do this…at least only choose from the criminals who have shown "good behavior" in prison."

"Understood, Director." Captain America agreed, as he shut off the TV and turned to his partner, Hawkeye. "Let's go to Prison 42 and find us some bad guys. Hopefully the sweet feeling of justice will be enough to turn these people to the side of good."

"Letting these guys loose will at least keep the Vordock busy for us to come up with a better idea." Hawkeye shrugged as he and Captain America left the room."

Meanwhile, in the prison within the negative zone, Prison 42, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch sat in their cells with their fellow partner in crime, St John Allerdyce, aka Pyro the Australian mutant of fire manipulation. Pyro was a man of medium height and slender build with wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and typically wore large high powered flame throwers (with a flame tank on his back) that he stole from the MRD. The mutant's power was not creating fire out of nothing, but changing and controlling fire into whatever his mind desired.

Pyro, once a famous author who found more profitable means through crime, had hoped to destroy a MRD complex that had a record of violently testing on their mutant prisoners. After being hired to complete this task for a king's ransom, the flamethrower realized the job was too much for him so he used his own riches to hire the aid of Pietro and Wanda. After hearing that the MRD at one time, roughly a year ago, captured the Scarlet Witch, John correctly assumed that the mutant twins would love to get paid to have swift revenge. Much to the dismay of the three, their less than legal operation was apprehended by S.H.I.E.L.D, alongside Captain America and Wolverine (Who still held a nasty disdain towards Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch from aiding Magneto earlier.)

The detained villains ears perked up as they heard the portal to Earth open, as people entered the negative zone. Quicksilver had his feet locked down in reinforced adamantium cuffs, Scarlet Witch had cuffs around her arms preventing her from hexing, and without his flamethrower, Pyro was just as much a captive prisoner as the other two.

Captain America and Hawkeye walked near their cell, standing directly in front of the three. The only thing separating heroes and villains was a blue impenetrable forcefield that kept the captives inside. Hawkeye read off the bios of each person as the Captain decided if these people fit what he was looking for.

"Pyro, aka St John Allerdyce…as his name suggests, he's a mutant who can control and manipulate fire, usually coming from his flame throwers. He was thrown in prison because he, along with his cronies in here, tried to infiltrate a mutant testing facility through very destructive means.

Quicksilver, aka Pietro Maximoff…this mutant has superhuman speed, he was apprehended with Pyro, and also has been noted as a criminal speeding around the US taking whatever he wants. Tsk Tsk, speedy, taking whatever you want is wrong…especially when you're caught!

Finally we have the beautiful Scarlet Witch, aka Wanda Maximoff. Her mutant power, as amazing as it sounds, is to control probability. If there is even a decimal of a chance of something happening, she can make it happen. Considered the power behind the operation of the three this mutant is considered very dangerous, and a little unstable mentally. (Wanda rolled her eyes at the bold accusation made on her file…so what if she had a tendency to catch things on fire when she lost her temper?)."

"Alright listen up, because I'm only going to say this once." Captain America spoke to the prisoners. "We're in a state of global emergency due to the invasion of a hostile alien force on Earth. The Avengers ranks are thinned as many of our best have been taken captive onto an alien ship, whereabouts currently unknown. Additionally, the Vordock forces have increased in the past months with our troops diminishing. Due to these circumstances, we have instigated a new initiative known as Operation New Hope…the idea is to rehabilitate super-powered criminals such as yourself by giving them the chance to do good by helping us in our time of need. The deal is simple, help us stop the Vordock invasion and you have your freedom. Double cross us once outside, and you're back inside. What do you all say?"

"After being locked up in here for a month I'd do anything to get out." Pietro complained, "You got it, stars and stripes…point me to the bad guys and I'll take care of the rest!"

"They're hard to miss…" Hawkeye interjected, "They have orange skin."

"I agree with my brother." Scarlet Witch spoke callously, "I'm ready to get out of here…I'll help."

"I've always wanted to see what alien barbeques look like!" Pyro added, with a villainous smile. "I trust you kept my personal belongings in working order?"

"Yes John…" Captain America agreed, as he pressed a button the prison cell to drop the forcefield. From there, he threw Pyro's flame equipment and costume into the cell. The mutant laughed with joy as he attached the flamethrowers back to his body. The Captain looked at Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch and spoke again. "Hawkeye seems to think that deep down, you two aren't bad based on previous encounters. Personally, I'm not to sure…but this is your chance to prove him right, don't let us down soldiers."

"Whatever you say, big guy." Quicksilver replied as he sped out of the cell and near the portal out of the negative door. "Fire up this thing and let's get to work!"

"You have our word that we won't betray you until this invasion is subdued." Scarlet Witch spoke on the behalf of her brother and herself, "After that, who can say? I've never been much of a fan of organizations that imprison people with powers, even if they are made up of superpowered people themselves."

Scarlet Witch followed Captain America and Hawkeye out of the negative zone through the portal, and before Quicksilver could follow his sister, Pyro put his hand on the speedster's shoulder, wanting to speak with him.

"Listen mate," Pyro spoke softly. "First chance I get I'm going to barbeque Captain America and his little friend for sending us to this intergalactic hell. Stick with me, and we'll be able to escape a lot sooner than at the end of this little invasion."

As the two left Quicksilver was uneasy at the plan of double crossing. He didn't much care for Pyro's lack of loyalty to anyone but himself, and he definitely wasn't keen on the idea of going back on the word his sister gave on his behalf, and yet he was unsure about siding with the Avengers too. The man dressed in blue and white shrugged as they re-entered Earth. He'd figure out what to do when the time came.